It’s a shame that manufacturers were so gung-ho in marketing ZMA as a “test-booster” using rather questionable/misleading information to back it.
As a result, I think that ZMA is often overlooked concerning its legitimate benefits, including improved sleep and - ultimately - recovery; not to mention the fact that most “real” athletes/trainers suffer from zinc deficiencies.
By far, one of the most detailed & comprehensive threads ever to appear on this site examines ZMA:
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=44580.0It’s not a long thread, but is laced with scientific facts/studies, anecdotal evidence, and the educated opinions of some
(of the few) intelligent posters here.
Interesting points include:
The benefits ZMA does and can have for different people
Who needs it and why it’s important
The best time to take it
The best foods to take it with & without
The ingredients & the difference between taking them separately, in the absence of others, or together as a formula - as well as the advantages of the aspartate form of Zinc & Magnesium in ZMA